There is a lot of survival politics at play all around in Cisco now -- a symptom of the underlying fear. examples: bosses trying to portray themselves smarter than their subordinates or trying to downplay the achievements of subordinates in the process, team members playing the one-up-manship game with each other, trying to prove "I am better than you", and so on.
If you know that 15% of a 12 member team is likely to lose their jobs come 8/17, then no one wants to be Part of that 2 that are going to be let go, including the boss with an inferiority complex who might just be a paper pusher or a highly paid MS Office jock masquerading as a "facilitator". Yes, the boss is scheming on ways to justify low ratings for his subordinates so that his own a-- can be saved.. Look for situations where boss finds ways to deny opportunities that will make the subordinate shine -- it may be a presentation opportunity that may showcase the employee's competence or it may be a project opportunity that will bring out the strength of the employee.
I have seen this in companies on the verge of layoffs all the time. Now Cisco has become rife with these kinds of situations. I am noticing this all around. It tells you what is in store soon. I am sure many of you will notice these not-so-subtle situations and clues when you just look around yourself. It is ugly, it is unproductive and it is unprofessional and mean.
But it is the dirty reality of survival politics. If you are oblivious to it, you will be taken by surprise. If you notice it, you still may not be able to do much about what may happen, but may be you could be prepared for it and not be surprised.